[Physiopathology of pulmonary emphysema. Analysis of structural changes in the pulmonary architecture and therapeutic implications]
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Updated: Oct 28, 2026

Lung Fixation under Constant Pressure for Evaluation of Emphysema in Mice
Published on: September 26, 2019
1Dipartimento di Chirurgia, IRCCS San Matteo, Università degli Studi, Pavia.
Abstract:
In the pulmonary emphysema a serious respiratory inadequacy can result from the impossibility of the thoracic cage and of the diaphragm to expand beyond a maximum limit, before that a significnat part of pulmonary parenchyma has been destroyed by the pathogenic process. The resection of part of the lung, selectively in the areas where the emphysematous injuries are more pronounced, brings again the ventilation of the residual pulmonary parenchyma toward more physiological expansion values of the thoracic cage and diaphragm, thus decreasing the respiratory work, improving the ventilation mechanics and the bronchial obstruction. The time duration of the improvement achieved with the lung volume reduction is still to be demonstrated. A clinical and therapeutic analysis of this pathology is carried out.
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